Falls are the number one cause of serious injury and death in building construction. An average of 40 workers are killed annually as a result of falls from residential roofs. These deaths are preventable by reasonble fall protection methods.
However, for years subcontractors and general contractors have avoided real fall protection claiming exemption for residential buildings. No wonder that is a leading cause of construction deaths. Workers are maimed and die without reasonable fall protection. Real fall protection saves lives.
An appeals court recently upheld an appeal by roofing subcontractors and general contractors seeking continued exclusion for reasonable fall protection by residential contractors. The court ruled that residential contractors must comply with OSHA Fall Protection Rules and would not be exempted out.
This is a good positive change and you can expect a drop in serious injuries and fatalities in residential construction from trades working on roofs. Construction and roofing companies have until June 16, 2011 to comply with the new directive.